MINDTOOLS

Essential skills for an excellent career

Worksheet and Templates

Supplement
Essential skills for an excellent career
Mind Tools
Worksheets and Templates

This e-book supplement is published by:

Mind Tools Limited

4th Edition May 2009.

Copyright 2006-2009 by Mind Tools Limited.

All international rights reserved.

This product is distributed and licensed by Mind Tools Limited only. Please feel free to copy this sheet for
your own use and to share with friends, co-workers or team members, just as long as you do not change it in
any way.

For multiuser licenses, please go to: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/CorporateEnquiryPDFs.htm .

2
Foreword by James Manktelow

This pack of templates and worksheets helps you quickly and effectively put our most
popular tools to use. This is part of our mission to help you learn (and use effectively) the
essential skills you need for an excellent career.

Please feel free to print out and copy these templates and worksheets for your own use
and to share with friends, co-workers or team members, but please do not change
them in any way if you do so.

Full details on all of the tools that these templates and worksheets support, plus many,
many more, can be found at www.mindtools.com, where you can also download fully
editable versions that you can use on screen. And to find out about useful new career
skills as we publish them, subscribe to our free newsletter.

Best wishes!

James Manktelow
CEO
Mindtools.com

3
Table of Contents
Leadership Skills
Delegation Log .................................................................................................................. 5

Problem Solving
SWOT Analysis Worksheet............................................................................................... 6
PEST Analysis Worksheet ................................................................................................ 7
Ansoff Matrix Worksheet (Business) ................................................................................. 8
Ansoff Matrix Worksheet (Personal/Career) ..................................................................... 9
Boston Matrix Worksheet ................................................................................................ 10
Porters Five Forces Worksheet...................................................................................... 11
USP Analysis Worksheet ................................................................................................ 12
McKinsey 7S Worksheet ................................................................................................. 13

Decision Making
Paired Comparison Worksheet ....................................................................................... 14
Grid Analysis Worksheet................................................................................................. 15
Force Field Analysis Worksheet...................................................................................... 16
Starbursting Template..................................................................................................... 17
Risk Impact/Probability Chart Worksheet........................................................................ 18

Project Management
Power/Interest Grid for Stakeholder Prioritization ........................................................... 19
Stakeholder Communications Worksheet ....................................................................... 20

Time Management
Activity Log...................................................................................................................... 21
Prioritized To-Do list........................................................................................................ 22

Stress Management
Stress Diary..................................................................................................................... 23
Thought Awareness, Rational Thinking and Positive Thinking ....................................... 24
Hostility Log..................................................................................................................... 25
Wheel of Life Worksheet ................................................................................................. 26

Communication Skills
Win-Win Negotiation Preparation Sheet ......................................................................... 27

About Mind Tools ............................................................................................................ 28

4
 The Internets Most
Visited Career Skills Resource

Delegation Log
y For information about delegation, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/Delegation.
y For tips on time management, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/MTFS.
y For business leadership skills visit www.mindtools.com/rpages/HowtoLead.htm.

Task Can this be To whom

delegated? Y/N should it be
delegated?

For new tools like this every two weeks, subscribe to the free Mind Tools newsletter:
http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm.

Copyright Mind Tools Ltd, 2006-2009. Please feel free to copy this sheet for your own use and to share with friends,
co-workers or team members, just as long as you do not change it in any way.

5
 The Internets Most
Visited Career Skills Resource

SWOT Analysis Worksheet

y For instructions on using SWOT Analysis, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/SWOT.
y For personal career or life strategy, visit www.mindtools.com/rpages/DesignYourLife.htm.
y For more business leadership skills (like SWOT) visit www.mindtools.com/rpages/HowtoLead.htm.

Strengths: Weaknesses:
What do you do well? What could you improve?
What unique resources can you draw on? Where do you have fewer resources than others?
What do others see as your strengths? What are others likely to see as weaknesses?

Opportunities: Threats:
What good opportunities are open to you? What trends could harm you?
What trends could you take advantage of? What is your competition doing?
How can you turn your strengths into opportunities? What threats do your weaknesses expose you to?

To learn more skills like this every two weeks, subscribe to the free Mind Tools newsletter:
http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm.

Copyright Mind Tools Ltd, 2006-2009. Please feel free to copy this sheet for your own use and to share with friends,
co-workers or team members, just as long as you do not change it in any way.

6
 The Internets Most
Visited Career Skills Resource

PEST Analysis Worksheet

y For instructions on PEST Analysis, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/PEST.
y For more business problem solving tools, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/ProblemSolving.
y For more business leadership skills visit www.mindtools.com/rpages/HowtoLead.htm.

Political
..................................................
..................................................
..................................................
..................................................
..................................................
..................................................
..................................................
..................................................
..................................................
..................................................
Socio-cultural
.................................................
.................................................
.................................................
.................................................
.................................................
.................................................
.................................................
.................................................
.................................................
.................................................

Your
Market

Economic
..................................................
..................................................
..................................................
..................................................
..................................................
..................................................
..................................................
..................................................
..................................................
..................................................
Technological
.................................................
.................................................
.................................................
.................................................
.................................................
.................................................
.................................................
.................................................
.................................................
.................................................

Conclusions

To learn more skills like this every two weeks, subscribe to the free Mind Tools newsletter:
http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm.

Copyright Mind Tools Ltd, 2006-2009. Please feel free to copy this sheet for your own use and to share with friends,
co-workers or team members, just as long as you do not change it in any way.

7
 The Internets Most
Visited Career Skills Resource

Ansoff Matrix Worksheet (Business)

y For instructions on using the Ansoff Matrix, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/Ansoff.
y For more business problem solving tools, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/ProblemSolving.

New

Market Diversification
Development
Markets

Market Product
Penetration Development
Existing

Existing New
Products and Services

For new tools like this every two weeks, subscribe to the free Mind Tools newsletter:
http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm.

Copyright Mind Tools Ltd, 2006-2009. Please feel free to copy this sheet for your own use and to share with friends,
co-workers or team members, just as long as you do not change it in any way.

8
 The Internets Most
Visited Career Skills Resource

Ansoff Matrix Worksheet (Personal/Career)

y For instructions on using the Ansoff Matrix, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/Ansoff.
y For personal career or life strategy, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/LifePlanWorkbook.

New

Industry Retraining
Transfer
Industries

Functional
Expert Skills
Development Development
Existing

Existing New
Functional Skills

For new tools like this every two weeks, subscribe to the free Mind Tools newsletter:
http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm.

Copyright Mind Tools Ltd, 2006-2009. Please feel free to copy this sheet for your own use and to share with friends,
co-workers or team members, just as long as you do not change it in any way.

9
 The Internets Most
Visited Career Skills Resource

Boston Matrix Worksheet

y For instructions on using the Boston Matrix, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/Boston.
y For personal career or life strategy, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/LifePlanWorkbook.
y For more business leadership skills, visit www.mindtools.com/rpages/HowtoLead.htm.

High
Question Marks Stars
Market Growth

Dogs Cash Cows

Low

Low High
Market Share

For new tools like this every two weeks, subscribe to the free Mind Tools newsletter:
http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm.

Copyright Mind Tools Ltd, 2006-2009. Please feel free to copy this sheet for your own use and to share with friends,
co-workers or team members, just as long as you do not change it in any way.

10
 The Internets Most
Visited Career Skills Resource

Porters Five Forces Worksheet

y For instructions on Porters Five Forces Analysis, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/Porter.
y For more business problem solving tools, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/ProblemSolving.
y For more business leadership skills visit www.mindtools.com/rpages/HowtoLead.htm.

Threat of New Entry: Competitive Rivalry:

..................... .......................

..................... Threat of .......................

.....................
New Entry
.......................

..................... .......................

..................... .......................

..................... .......................

Supplier Competitive Buyer

Power Rivalry Power

Supplier Power: Buyer Power:

..................... ......................

..................... ......................

..................... ......................
Threat of
Threat of Substitution: Substitution ......................

..................... ......................

..................... ......................

.....................

To learn more skills like this every two weeks, subscribe to the free Mind Tools newsletter:
http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm.

This technique was developed by Prof Michael Porter. Click here for the book that describes it.

Copyright Mind Tools Ltd, 2006-2009. Please feel free to copy this sheet for your own use and to share with friends,
co-workers or team members, just as long as you do not change it in any way.

11
 The Internets Most
The Internets Most
Visited Career Skills Resource
Visited Career Skills Resource

USP Analysis Worksheet

y For instructions about USP Analysis, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/USP.
y For time management tips, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/MTFS.
y For more business leadership skills visit www.mindtools.com/rpages/HowtoLead.htm.

Criterion You Competitor 1 Competitor 2 Competitor 3

1=good/10=poor

Competitor Analysis

10

8
Score out of 10

0
Criteria

USP Statement

For new tools like this every two weeks, subscribe to the free Mind Tools newsletter:
http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm.

Copyright Mind Tools Ltd, 2006-2009. Please feel free to copy this sheet for your own use and to share with friends,
co-workers or team members, just as long as you do not change it in any way.

12
 The Internets Most
Visited Career Skills Resource

McKinsey 7S Worksheet
y For information about the McKinsey 7S Framework, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/7S.
y For more business problem solving tools, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/ProblemSolving.

Current Situation (Point A)

Shared
Strategy Structure Systems Style Staff Skills
Values
Shared
Values

Strategy

Structure

Systems

Style

Staff

Skills

Future Situation (Point B)

Shared
Strategy Structure Systems Style Staff Skills
Values
Shared
Values

Strategy

Structure

Systems

Style

Staff

Skills

For new tools like this every two weeks, subscribe to the free Mind Tools newsletter:
http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm.

Copyright Mind Tools Ltd, 2007-2009. Please feel free to copy this sheet for your own use and to share with friends,
co-workers or team members, just as long as you do not change it in any way.
13
 The Internets Most
Visited Career Skills Resource

Paired Comparison Worksheet

y For information on paired comparisons, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/pairedcomparisonanalysis.
y For other decision-making tools, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/DecisionMaking.
y For business leadership skills visit www.mindtools.com/rpages/HowtoLead.htm.

Option A: B: C: D: E: F: G: H
A:
B:
C:
D:
E:
F:
G:
H:

Option Total Rank

A:
B: To learn more skills like this every two weeks, subscribe to the free
Mind Tools newsletter: http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm.
C:
Copyright Mind Tools Ltd, 2006-2009. Please feel free to copy this
D: sheet for your own use and to share with friends, co-workers or team
members, just as long as you do not change it in any way.
E:
F:
G:
H:
.

14
 The Internets Most
Visited Career Skills Resource

Grid Analysis Worksheet

y For information on grid analysis, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/GridAnalysis.
www.mindtools.com/rs/GridAnalysis
y For other decision-making tools, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/DecisionMaking.
y For business leadership skills, visit www.mindtools.com/rpages/HowtoLead.htm.

Factors: TOTAL

Weights:

To learn more skills like this every two weeks, subscribe to the free Mind Tools newsletter:
http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm.

Copyright Mind Tools Ltd, 2006-2009. Please feel free to copy this sheet for your own use and to share with friends,
co-workers or team members, just as long as you do not change it in any way.

15
 The Internets Most
Visited Career Skills Resource

Force Field Analysis Worksheet

y For instructions on Force Field Analysis, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/ForceField.
y For more business decision making visit www.mindtools.com/rs/DecisionMaking.

Forces FOR Forces

Score AGAINST Score
change
change

Change
proposal

....................

....................

....................

....................

....................

....................

....................

....................

....................

....................

....................

....................

TOTAL TOTAL

To learn more skills like this every two weeks, subscribe to the free Mind Tools newsletter:
http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm.

Copyright Mind Tools Ltd, 2006-2009. Please feel free to copy this sheet for your own use and to share with friends,
co-workers or team members, just as long as you do not change it in any way.

16
 The Internets Most
Visited Career Skills Resource

Starbursting Template
y For instructions on Starbursting, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/Starbursting.
y For instructions on Brainstorming, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/brainstorming.

To learn more skills like this every two weeks, subscribe to the free Mind Tools newsletter:
http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm.

Copyright Mind Tools Ltd, 2007-2009. Please feel free to copy this sheet for your own use and to share with friends,
co-workers or team members, just as long as you do not change it in any way.
17
 The Internets Most
Visited Career Skills Resource

Risk Impact/Probability Chart Worksheet

y For instructions on using the Risk Impact/Probability Chart, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/risk.
y For risk analysis, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/riskanalysis.

High

Medium-level High-level
Probability of Occurrence

Risk Risk

Low-level Medium-level
Risk Risk
Low

High
Low Impact of Risk

For new tools like this every two weeks, subscribe to the free Mind Tools newsletter:
http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm.

Copyright Mind Tools Ltd, 2008-2009. Please feel free to copy this sheet for your own use and to share with friends,
co-workers or team members, just as long as you do not change it in any way.

18
 The Internets Most
Visited Career Skills Resource

Power/Interest Grid for Stakeholder Prioritization

y For instructions on stakeholder analysis, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/stakeholderanalysis.
y For more project management skills visit www.mindtools.com/rs/\ProjectManagement.

High
Keep Manage
Satisfied Closely
Power

Monitor Keep
(Minimum Effort) Informed

Low

Low High
Interest

To learn more skills like this every two weeks, subscribe to the free Mind Tools newsletter:
http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm.

Copyright Mind Tools Ltd, 2006-2009. Please feel free to copy this sheet for your own use and to share with friends,
co-workers or team members, just as long as you do not change it in any way

19
 The Internets Most
Visited Career Skills Resource

Stakeholder Communications Worksheet

y For information on stakeholder communications, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/StakeholderComms.
y For more project planning and management tools, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/ProjectManagement.

3
Stakeholder Communications Key Interests and Current Desired Support Desired Actions Messages Action and
2
Name Approach (from Issues Status Project Role Desired (if any) Needed Communication
1
Power/Interest Grid) (if any)

1. Manage closely/Keep satisfied/Keep informed/Monitor. 2. Advocate/Supporter/Neutral/Critic/Blocker. 3. High/Medium/Low.

To learn more skills like this every two weeks, subscribe to the free Mind Tools newsletter: http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm.

Copyright Mind Tools Ltd, 2006-2009. Please feel free to copy this sheet for your own use and to share with friends, co-workers or team members, just as long as you do not change it in any
way.

20
 The Internets Most
Visited Career Skills Resource

Activity Log
y For information on Activity Logs, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/ActivityLog.
y To manage your time and maximize your effectiveness, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/MTFS.

Time Activity description Duration Value

(High, Medium or Low)

To learn more skills like this every two weeks, subscribe to the free Mind Tools newsletter:
http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm.

Copyright Mind Tools Ltd, 2006-2009. Please feel free to copy this sheet for your own use and to share with friends,
co-workers or team members, just as long as you do not change it in any way.
 The Internets Most
Visited Career Skills Resource

Prioritized To-Do list

y For information on prioritized To-Do lists, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/prtodo.
y For tips on time management, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/MTFS.

Task Priority (A-F)

(A=Very Important,
F=Unimportant)

To learn more skills like this every two weeks, subscribe to the free Mind Tools newsletter:
http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm.

Copyright Mind Tools Ltd, 2006-2009. Please feel free to copy this sheet for your own use and to share with friends,
co-workers or team members, just as long as you do not change it in any way.
 The Internets Most
Visited Career Skills Resource

Stress Diary
y For information on stress diaries, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/StressDiary.
y For tips on reducing stress, visit www.mindtools.com/smpage.html.

Date and Most recent stressful How happy Your current How Fundamental How Physical symptom How well did you
Time event experienced do you feel mood effectively cause of the stressed felt during stressful handle the event?
now? are you event do you event
(Scale -10 working feel now?
to 10) now? (0-10) (0-10)

To learn more skills like this every two weeks, subscribe to the free Mind Tools newsletter: http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm.

Copyright Mind Tools Ltd, 2006-2009. Please feel free to copy this sheet for your own use and to share with friends, co-workers or team members, just as long as you do not change it in any
way.

23
 The Internets Most
Visited Career Skills Resource

Thought Awareness, Rational Thinking and Positive Thinking

y For information on these thinking skills, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/Thinking.
y For tips on stress management, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/SMMC.

Negative Thought Rational Thought Positive Thought

To learn more skills like this every two weeks, subscribe to the free Mind Tools newsletter:
http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm.

Copyright Mind Tools Ltd, 2006-2009. Please feel free to copy this sheet for your own use and to share with friends,
co-workers or team members, just as long as you do not change it in any way.

24
 The Internets Most
Visited Career Skills Resource

Hostility Log
y For information about anger management, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/AngerMgt.
y For tips on reducing stress, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/smmc.

What made you angry? How did you respond? Was this justified?
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

For new tools like this every two weeks, subscribe to the free Mind Tools newsletter:
http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm.

Copyright Mind Tools Ltd, 2006-2009. Please feel free to copy this sheet for your own use and to share with friends,
co-workers or team members, just as long as you do not change it in any way.

25
 The Internets Most
Visited Career Skills Resource

Wheel of Life Worksheet

y For instructions on the Wheel of Life, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/LifeWheel.
y For personal career or life strategy, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/LifePlanWorkbook.

....................
5

....................
....................
5 5

2 2

............. 5 2 0 2 5 ............

2 2
2

5 5
....................
...................

5
....................

Things I will START doing to regain Things I will STOP doing, reprioritize
balance in my life or delegate

To learn more skills like this every two weeks, subscribe to the free Mind Tools newsletter:
http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm.

Copyright Mind Tools Ltd, 2006-2009. Please feel free to copy this sheet for your own use and to share with friends,
co-workers or team members, just as long as you do not change it in any way.

26
 The Internets Most
Visited Career Skills Resource

Win-Win Negotiation Preparation Sheet

y For information on Win-Win Negotiation, visit www.mindtools.com/rs/WinWin.

Aspect of the Notes

negotiation

Goals

Trades

Alternatives

Relationship

Expected outcome

Consequences of
winning or losing

Power

Possible solutions

To learn more skills like this every two weeks, subscribe to the free Mind Tools newsletter:
http://www.mindtools.com/subscribe.htm.

Copyright Mind Tools Ltd, 2006-2009. Please feel free to copy this sheet for your own use and to share with friends,
co-workers or team members, just as long as you do not change it in any way.

27
About Mind Tools
MindTools.com was founded in 1995 to help site visitors around the world learn the
essential skills they need for an excellent career.

Now, more than 4.2 million visitors each year visit Mind Tools. Many have sent us
positive testimonials, saying how the techniques we have helped to popularize have
helped them achieve lasting success in their lives and careers.

The tools and techniques on the Mind Tools website cover ten broad areas:

y Time Management
y Stress Management
y Leadership Skills
y Problem Solving
y Information Skills
y Decision Making
y Communication Skills
y Project Planning
y Memory Improvement
y Practical Creativity

New tools are added every week, and are sent out to thousands of people worldwide in
our regular newsletter (click here to subscribe for free.)

Mind Tools also offers a range of in-depth self-study courses, which give you the real
expertise you need to enjoy and excellent career. And for personal help, our team of
career and life coaches will be delighted to talk to you, wherever you are in the world.

Members of the Mind Tools Career Excellence Club benefit even further, from additional
resources including podcasts and forums where they can discuss career issues and get
ideas from Mind Tools Team as well as from other Club members. Click here to find out
more about how you can take charge of your career by joining the Mind Tools
community.

Visit www.mindtools.com today!

28